Britain to expel Libyan diplomats, back rebels and unfreeze assets

BRITAIN will expel all remaining Libyan diplomats, treat the rebel opposition as the legitimate government and unfreeze some Libyan assets, Foreign Secretary William Hague said, in the latest diplomatic push to break Muammar Gaddafi’s grip on power.

Hague dismissed suggestions he had softened his stance on the fate of the Libyan leader, saying Britain still wanted him to leave power and face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, although he repeated that it was not for external powers to dictate Libya’s future.

Britain, which expelled Libya’s ambassador to London in May, has told the remaining nine diplomats to pack their bags.